Holger Rune didn’t hold back his frustration during his Barcelona Open match on Wednesday, audibly criticizing the court conditions after a bad bounce disrupted a key point.
The No. 6 seed faced early challenges against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, dropping the first set 4-6. During the second set, while leading 2-1 and holding a break point, Rune was caught off guard by a badly bouncing ball that caused him to mishit. A courtside microphone picked up the 21-year-old’s reaction, where he could be heard saying, “F—— s— court.”
Despite the outburst, Rune quickly regained composure. He secured a break in the very next game and built strong momentum, reeling off seven consecutive games to take control of the match. The Danish star eventually completed a confident 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 comeback victory.
Rune, who has four ATP titles to his name, has often spoken about his passion for playing on clay. The surface, he believes, allows for more variety and showcases true tennis skill.
“My favorite part of clay courts is that there are many more dimensions to the game. It’s not just about hitting big shots. You get to see the players’ full tennis skill set—drop shots, slices, more spin. That’s what I love,” Rune shared during his pre-tournament press conference.
Next up for Rune is a quarterfinal clash against either Casper Ruud or Hamad Medjedovic.
